The purpose of this policy is primarily to ensure that Council appropriately discharges is statutory obligations under the Building Act 2004 in relation to buildings in Central Hawke’s Bay that are suspected or confirmed as dangerous, earthquake-prone or insanitary. The policy also assists in ensuring public safety, assisting Council to achieve the two Community Outcomes of Safe and Secure Communities and A Lifetime of Good Health and Wellbeing by ensuring homes and other structures are safe to live in or visit and aren’t injurious to occupant’s health.
The Central Hawke’s Bay District Council adopted a Policy on Dangerous, Earthquake-Prone and Insanitary Buildings in accordance with section 131 of the Building Act 2004 on 8 December 2005.
The purpose of the Policy is to state the Council’s approach to performing its functions under the Act, Council's priorities in performing those functions; and how the policy will apply to heritage buildings. The Policy is being consulted upon to ensure that Council develops a policy that strikes a balance between the need to address earthquake risk and other priorities, while taking account of the social and economic implications of implementing the policy.
Council’s overall policy approach is a passive one which recognises the low risk posed by the limited number of structures in the Central Hawke’s Bay District that could be considered earthquake-prone and also recognises the difficultly posed by actively identifying dangerous and insanitary buildings.
Action will be taken on Dangerous and Insanitary buildings immediately as prescribed in the Building Act 2004. Earthquake-prone buildings are defined as meaning those structures having an un-reinforced masonry construction. When an application for a building consent is received for significant upgrading or alteration, Council will make an assessment of the building. If the building is identified as being earthquake-prone, Council will issue a notice requiring the building be strengthened or fixed as necessary.
To assist, Council will review the building stock in the commercial areas of
Waipukurau and Waipawa to identify potential earth-quake prone buildings and owners of such buildings will be advised of the process.
The Policy can be downloaded here (136kb PDF file).or may be viewed at the Council Office, 28 Ruataniwha Street, Waipawa. Alternatively, to obtain a copy you may telephone Council on 06 857 8060 and ask for a copy to be mailed out to you.
For more information about the Policy, please contact John Glengarry, Regulatory Services Manager; or Allen Vickress, Senior Regulatory Services Officer on 06 857 8060.
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